Separate mount ignition coil utilizing a progressive wound secondary winding

Abstract

An ignition coil assembly includes a core formed of magnetically-permeable material extending along a main axis, a primary winding disposed about the core, a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool wherein at least one of the secondary winding leads is connected to a high-voltage connector terminal portion of the ignition coil assembly configured for connection to a remotely disposed spark plug, a case formed of electrical insulating material, and a magnetically-permeable shield disposed outwardly of the case. The secondary winding is progressively wound on the secondary winding spool, thereby eliminating failure modes associated with the segment-wound secondary windings, and, eliminating the need for pole pieces in the magnetic circuit, thereby reducing components, cost, weight, and size of the ignition coil assembly.

Description

1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to ignition coils for developing a spark firing voltage that is applied to one or more remotely mounted spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.2. Description of the Related ArtAn ignition coil configured to be mounted in an automotive engine compartment remotely from a spark plug is known that includes a so-called "segment" wound secondary winding, as seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,982 issued to Skinner et al. Skinner et al. disclose an ignition coil configured for operation in a waste spark system having a magnetically-permeable core, a primary winding, and a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool. The first and second ends of the secondary winding are connected to respective high-voltage towers for connection to remotely installed spark plugs. The secondary winding spool disclosed in Skinner et al. further includes a plurality of axially spaced and circumferentially extending ribs, wh...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an ignition coil assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention. As is generally known, ignition coil assembly 10 may be coupled to, for example, an ignition system 12, which contains primary energization circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of ignition coil assembly 10. Further, also as is well known, the relatively high-voltage produced by ignition coil assembly 10 is provided to a conventional spark plug 14 remotely mounted from ignition coil assembly 10 by way of a conventional ignition cable 15. Spark plug 14 may be retained by a threaded engagement with a spark plug opening in a combustion chamber of the engine (as conventional). The resulting spark event may be employed to initiate combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Such an engine (not shown) may be use...

1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to ignition coils for developing a spark firing voltage that is applied to one or more remotely mounted spark plugs of an internal combustion engine.2. Description of the Related ArtAn ignition coil configured to be mounted in an automotive engine compartment remotely from a spark plug is known that includes a so-called "segment" wound secondary winding, as seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,982 issued to Skinner et al. Skinner et al. disclose an ignition coil configured for operation in a waste spark system having a magnetically-permeable core, a primary winding, and a secondary winding disposed on a secondary winding spool. The first and second ends of the secondary winding are connected to respective high-voltage towers for connection to remotely installed spark plugs. The secondary winding spool disclosed in Skinner et al. further includes a plurality of axially spaced and circumferentially extending ribs, wh...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an ignition coil assembly 10 in accordance with the present invention. As is generally known, ignition coil assembly 10 may be coupled to, for example, an ignition system 12, which contains primary energization circuitry for controlling the charging and discharging of ignition coil assembly 10. Further, also as is well known, the relatively high-voltage produced by ignition coil assembly 10 is provided to a conventional spark plug 14 remotely mounted from ignition coil assembly 10 by way of a conventional ignition cable 15. Spark plug 14 may be retained by a threaded engagement with a spark plug opening in a combustion chamber of the engine (as conventional). The resulting spark event may be employed to initiate combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Such an engine (not shown) may be use...

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